Chapter Seven: The Price of Power

The moment Ethan Hale agreed to the deal, Raymond knew trouble would follow.

It was one thing to secure an ally. It was another to shift the tides of fate itself. The land deal was supposed to belong to House Valner—a noble house with more wealth, influence, and ruthlessness than most. By interfering, they had altered the course of events.

And powerful people did not take kindly to losing.

Raymond sat across from Ethan in the dimly lit study, the scent of old parchment and candle wax filling the space. Stacks of ledgers and documents surrounded them—proof of Ethan's careful, meticulous nature.

The man studied him over steepled fingers, his sharp eyes unreadable.

"If you're right about this," Ethan murmured, "we'll make a fortune."

Raymond leaned back in his chair. "I am right."

Ethan smirked, but there was no humor in it. "And if you're wrong?"

Raymond didn't blink. "Then I die. But you'll still walk away with something valuable."

Silence stretched between them.

Ethan was testing him, prodding at the edges of his confidence, looking for cracks. But Raymond was already several steps ahead.

"The moment you outbid House Valner," Raymond continued, "they'll retaliate."

Ethan exhaled through his nose. "You say that like it's a certainty."

"It is."

A knock at the door cut through the tension.

Ethan's gaze flicked toward the entrance. His posture changed. Not fear—but caution.

"Enter."

The door swung open, revealing a man clad in dark leathers, a hunting knife strapped to his thigh. His face was rugged, lined with experience, and his presence carried the quiet menace of someone who had seen far too much bloodshed.

Raymond recognized him instantly.

Gregor Valner.

A bastard son of House Valner, but no less dangerous than his noble kin. In past lives, he had been a hired blade, a man who did the dirty work his family's hands could never be stained with.

And now, he was here.

Ethan's jaw tightened ever so slightly.

"Gregor," he said evenly. "What a surprise."

Gregor smiled—a predator's smile. "Word travels fast, Hale. You think you can steal from my family?"

Ethan didn't flinch. "I think it's called business."

Gregor chuckled, but his eyes never left Raymond.

He knew.

He didn't recognize Raymond's face, not yet. But he could tell something was off.

"You're new," Gregor said. "Hale doesn't usually take meetings with strangers."

Raymond met his gaze without hesitation. "And yet, here I am."

Gregor's smile widened. "Brave."

Raymond didn't react.

He knew exactly how this played out in past regressions.

House Valner wouldn't strike immediately. First, they would send a warning. A chance for Ethan to back out, to reconsider. Then, if that failed, they would resort to other means.

Gregor was here to deliver that first warning.

And just as Raymond predicted, the man tilted his head slightly, feigning amusement.

"You're making a mistake," Gregor said. "The land belongs to my family. You know this, Hale."

Ethan's expression was unreadable. "It doesn't belong to anyone until the deal is done."

Gregor sighed, shaking his head.

Then, without warning, he moved.

His hand shot forward, gripping Ethan's wrist before the moneylender could react. His fingers dug in just enough—a display of dominance, a veiled threat.

Ethan stiffened, but to his credit, he didn't react further.

Gregor leaned in, voice lowering.

"Walk away," he murmured. "Or you won't be walking anywhere."

Raymond watched in silence. He could intervene now—or let Ethan decide for himself.

If Ethan folded here, then he was useless as an ally.

But if he didn't—

Ethan smiled.

It was small. Barely there.

But Raymond saw it.

And in that moment, he knew.

Ethan wasn't afraid.

He was calculating.

"You're squeezing too hard," Ethan said lightly. "People only do that when they feel cornered."

Gregor's grip tightened.

Raymond spoke before things escalated.

"That's enough."

The words were soft—but they carried weight.

Gregor hesitated, finally turning to face Raymond directly.

"…Excuse me?"

"You've delivered your warning," Raymond said evenly. "Now let go."

Gregor studied him for a long moment.

Then, to Ethan's surprise, he released his grip.

The room felt tense—a silent battle of wills stretching between them.

Gregor exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You should listen to your friend, Hale. I'm giving you a chance to leave with all your limbs intact."

Ethan rubbed his wrist, his expression completely unreadable.

Raymond took the opportunity to press forward.

"You think we don't know what you'll do next?" he asked.

Gregor raised an eyebrow. "Enlighten me."

Raymond leaned back slightly, keeping his expression neutral.

"You'll sabotage the deal first," he said. "Bribe the sellers. Force them into a contract that excludes Ethan entirely. If that doesn't work, you'll move to more… direct methods."

Gregor's expression didn't change. But something in his eyes flickered.

He knew Raymond was right.

"Smart boy," he murmured. "Too smart."

Raymond didn't react.

Gregor studied him a moment longer. Then he turned, heading for the door. "Enjoy your little victory while it lasts," he said over his shoulder. "Because soon, you'll regret ever making an enemy of my family."

And with that, he was gone.

Silence stretched in the aftermath of Gregor's departure.

Ethan exhaled, flexing his fingers. "Well," he said dryly. "That was eventful."

Raymond watched him closely. "You're still going through with the deal?"

Ethan's lips curled into a smirk. "You expected me to back out?"

"No," Raymond admitted.

Ethan laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "Valner's going to come after us now."

"They were always going to come after us."

Ethan studied him for a long moment.

Then, finally, he nodded.

Raymond knew what it meant.

This was the moment. The turning point.

Ethan Hale had just crossed the line from cautious businessman to active player.

The first true ally in this life.

But allies came with risks. And House Valner would not stay quiet for long.

This was only the beginning.